What Is the Complementary Color of Green?

Green and red complementary color pair

The complementary color of green is red. On the RYB color wheel, green and red sit directly opposite each other. This pair creates maximum contrast—green is cool and natural, red is warm and bold. It's one of the three primary complementary colors pairs.

The Green-Red Pair

#3B6D11 Green
#E24B4A Red

Green (secondary: yellow+blue) and red (primary) create strong contrast. Note: red-green color blindness affects some users—don't rely on these alone for critical info.

Why Green and Red Are Complementary

Complementary colors are 180° apart. Green sits opposite red on the wheel. This creates maximum hue contrast. Use our color finder for exact hex codes.

Famous Examples

Heineken: red and green. Starbucks: green with accents. Christmas imagery. Traffic signals. Alfa Romeo. Nature and holiday themes often use this pair.

Using Green and Red in Design

For design, use one as dominant and the other as accent. Ensure WCAG contrast. Consider accessibility for color-blind users. The color wheel explains the relationship.

Try It: Explore Green's Complements

Use the tool below to find complementary, split-complementary, and triadic palettes. Pre-loaded with green.

Base

Complementary

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Split-complementary

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Triadic

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Frequently Asked Questions

  • What is the complementary color of green?

    The complementary color of green is red. Green and red sit opposite each other on the RYB color wheel and create maximum contrast.